Gwangju: The defense ministry announced plans to temporarily relocate the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing from Gwangju to three different sites. This decision is part of an effort to expedite the creation of a semiconductor cluster in Gwangju, which is integral to the government's recent three megaprojects initiative. The current air base housing the 1st Fighter Wing has been selected as the location for the upcoming semiconductor cluster.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the defense ministry will move the 1st Fighter Wing's three squadrons to air bases in Yecheon, Seosan, and Chungju to ensure operational capabilities remain intact. Officials stated that the temporary relocation would be managed in consideration of the capacity of each base to minimize any operational impact.

The 1st Fighter Wing operates three flight training squadrons: two using T-50 training aircraft for pilot training and one tasked with protecting the southwestern airspace of the Korean Peninsula with TA-50 Block 2 trainer jets. The ministry is exploring the possibility of consolidating the T-50 squadrons at Yecheon and relocating the TA-50 jets to Seosan.

A ministry official emphasized that the transfers will be conducted in a manner that does not hinder training activities. They are also assessing strategies to prevent airspace or asset-related issues during flight training.

President Lee Jae Myung directed the defense ministry to relocate the Gwangju military airport operations by mid-2028. The military aims to start preparing for the relocation this year, with construction of the necessary facilities at the receiving air bases slated to begin next year.